Insurance has doubled for GAA clubs in Ireland over the past five years.

Tom Ryan, the director general of the Gaelic Athletic Association, told an Oireachtas committee that the cost of insurance premiums is a big challenge for the organisation.

The sports body is one of a number of groups that went before the Finance Committee which is looking at the impact of surging insurance premiums on community groups and businesses, such as livestock marts and men's sheds associations.

Mr Ryan told the TDs and senators: "The increased cost of claims and the increased volumes of claims we are seeing are a challenge for us. The legal process and how it operates is also a challenge."